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Product Support

Data Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Buy

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video display interface that can contain different types of signaling, based on the application. DVI cables and ports are created using different connector types to identify what application they are intended to be used in. The connector types are identified by the number of pins on the DVI connector. DVI comes in the following five different connector types:

Note: The maximum resolution of your video source and video destination are ultimately determined by the technical specifications of the devices. The connector type is not a definitive indicator of the maximum resolution.

DVI-A carries only analog (for example, VGA) with no digital component. DVI-D carries only digital video (for example, HDMI) with no analog component. DVI-I combines DVI-A and DVI-D connections to include both analog and digital components. A DVI-I port may be on either your video source or display, but whether or not a display carries either or both analog and digital sources depends on the technical specifications of your device.

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Troubleshooting

When you troubleshoot issues with a video splitter, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

Video cables

Video splitter

Video source (such as a DVD player or computer)

Video destination (such as a monitor or projector)

Note: When you are testing setup components, you should avoid using video adapters. For example, if you are converting a VGA source to HDMI for use with an HDMI splitter, you should use an HDMI source when you test the components.

To test your setup components, try the following:

Use the cable, video splitter, video source, and video destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

Use a different cable, video splitter, video source, and video destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

Test each cable individually.

Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the video source and video destination, it is recommended that you do the following:

Remove the video splitter from your setup and test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together without the video splitter.

Test to make sure that the video source and video destination work together at the resolution that you want to use.

Note: In order for your setup to work properly, the video source, splitter, and destination all need to support the resolution that you are using.

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Video splitters take the output for monitor port 1 and mirror it to the remaining outputs. By default, the first output port is the master port that is mirrored to each additional monitor. Make sure that you use the first output port when you use the video splitter. The master port is labeled on the splitter boxes from StarTech.com. On the splitter cables from StarTech.com, the master port is the top port.

If you are having issues with a splitter interpreting the incorrect port as the master port, try the following:

Unplug all of the video connections.

If the splitter is powered, power cycle the splitter.

Plug in all of the video connections again.

Make sure that the first video connection plugged in is the one that you want to be the master port.

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You might encounter resolution issues when you use a video splitter. This can occur because the information and resolution on one display are being copied and sent to each of the additional displays. You should make sure that all of the displays that you are using can support the output resolution. For more information, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/video_splitters_correct_port_usage